Pre-events

Movement-building pre-events will occur from 1:00 pm on July 6 until noon on July 7. These events provide opportunities to go deeper into particular aspects of the LGBTQ movement. Some of the events are for a specific population. The $50 fee includes programming only. Housing (one additional night) and meals are extra.

Perception = Reality: Day-on-the-Hill Leader Training

In the halls of Congress, perception equals reality. This is what makes ReconcilingWorks’ Day-On-the-Hill so very important in changing the face of faith on issues vital to the LGBTQ community. Train to escort a group of assembly-goers to meetings on the Hill and to lead those meetings with members of Congress, Senators, or their staff.

Anti-Bullying: Train the Trainer

Participants at the “Train the Trainer” event will receive intensive training that will prepare them to present bullying and harassment prevention programs in their own communities. Participants will learn to present workshops based on the Pacific Violence Prevention Institute’s proprietary Three Motivations for Violent Behavior Model, which is designed to help participants change from bystanders into effective allies by learning to recognize bullying and harassment that they witness and teaching them the skills to intervene safely and effectively in those acts. These highly interactive workshop utilizes video, activities, facilitated discussion, and role playing exercises to prepare participants for the challenge of becoming and effective allies.

Couple Care and Marriage

Today people are talking and voting on the godliness and legalities of loving, committed couple relationships, but so many in our country only allow a couple to be a man and a woman. We want to learn the function of a couple relationship to inform conversations, thereby giving people a zest for perhaps the most significant relationship in life.

God creates couples to grow in God’s love for them and to care for each other that they might take good care of God’s world.

We will unlearn and relearn the story of Adam and Eve. It’s about the creation of the couple, not the first man and the first woman, nor the institution of marriage. It teaches couples not to blame God nor to blame each other, but to hope in God’s Rescuer (Jesus) to overcome evil and to be about restoring life together. We will:

Assimilate models that help us cultivate the couple relationship.

Assert the benefits of marriage and relish the Rite of Holy Marriage written for all loving, committed couples.

Scrutinize resources to nurture in children the function of couples and the careful choosing of life-long couple relationships.

Determine thetraining to provide care and marriage for couples and discuss how all of us can disseminate this excellent ministry.

Led by Dick & Linda Staats.

Ministerium

The Ministerium is for LGBT ministers, both lay and ordained, and those in the process of rostering. Participants may be out, partially out, closeted, active, retired, resigned, or removed from any Lutheran denomination.

The retreat-style gathering will include worship, large and small group conversations, and affinity group sessions. Probable topics of conversation include: building a network of support; finding a place: to worship, to serve, to be; preaching the liberating word; coming out to congregations; gender identity and expression in ministry; out, proud and serving — what’s next?

Sanctuary and confidentiality will be integral to this ministerium.

Youth & Young Adult Forum

This forum package was created with young Lutherans between the ages of 16-22 in mind. Participants will live in intentional community at Luther Place Hostel for the duration of the assembly. Young activists will spend the day-long pre-event working on leadership development, worshipping together, and planning future advocacy to continue moving the Lutheran church toward full inclusion. Space is limited, so act quickly!

ReconcilingWorks is looking for nominations for young people to be invited to attend and be a part of this forum. If you are, or know of, a young person in the age range who would benefit from this forum, please email yoyafam@lcna.org with details. ReconcilingWorks wants to be diverse and inclusive with this invitation in every way, including regionally within North America.

Tour of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Embark upon a meditative exploration through the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. This historic memorial museum teaches the history and continuing problem of antisemitism. Learn how to confront and prevent genocide. Participants will have an opportunity to debrief their experiences with one another after the tour. This tour will occur on the morning of Saturday, July 7th. Note: (Out of town assembly participants should plan to arrive in D.C. on Friday night in order to participate on this tour.)

Worship, Music and the Arts

Worship, music, and the arts are central elements of devotion to our God. Come explore the roots of these elements, their evolution, and how they can be approached today. Discover deeper meaning and new treasures. Hear discussion on the creative process. Gather some new ideas to take back to your own worshipping community. Consider how to build a RIC Sunday Service and how that can effect community every Sunday. Consider options on rites of blessing and marriage. Share what works; talk about what doesn’t. Enjoy the riches that God has given us.

This package was created with young Lutheran adults between the ages of 16-22 in mind. Participants will live in intentional community at Luther Place Hostel for the duration of the assembly. Young activists will spend the day-long pre-event working on leadership development, worshipping together, and planning future advocacy to continue moving the Lutheran church toward full inclusion. Space is limited, so act quickly!